Ok, I am now convinced that the supplements I was told by the doctor to take for my anemia (basically a good b-complex with folate and iron) are not helping my skin. I switched several b-complex fomulas, and I am now taking one with the lowest % of B12 and B6 I could find (as those are typically the b vitamins associated with worsening acne) - it's called solgar stress formula b-complex with vitamin c. I thought the % of B vitamins was the best comparatively speaking (the highest % was B5). Everytime I introduce a b-complex into my routine, I break out in little spots in parts where I don't normally breakout. This also happens with iron-rich foods like lentils.

But, I feel MUCH BETTER with these supplements and with eating iron-rich foods. What should I do? Since I am anemic, there is no way I can fix my deficiencies solely through food (unless I eat a gallon of lentils and such every day!). Any suggestions? Should I just keep taking the b-complex and hope that I will eventually stop breaking out from it? My acne is mostly hormonal, and I read that b-complex stress formula can help with that as well. So many benefits, yet my skin doesn't get it!

Current regimen: garlic supplements [as needed], Enzymedica gluten blocker [as needed], nicadan [not sure if it works yet]. I try to simplify as much as I can. Don't take more supplements than you need....try one at a time and be patient.

The supplements that really helped me when my acne was at its worst: inositol, DIM [not as frequently now!] digestive enzymes [don't need them every day anymore, only on cheat days], herpanacine & vitamin C with rose hips/ low acid [not every day], regular sun exposure for vitamin D3, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme supplements. NOTE: I do not recommend DIM for long term use, and I do not recommend hormonal creams without doctor supervision.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Typically iron supplements which you take for anemia, make you slightly constipated. If that is happening and you are not able to eliminate wastes through your bowels completely your skin may get affected.

I do not have a solution for it, so lets see if someone else knows of a substitute.

Typically iron supplements which you take for anemia, make you slightly constipated. If that is happening and you are not able to eliminate wastes through your bowels completely your skin may get affected.

I do not have a solution for it, so lets see if someone else knows of a substitute.

Good luck.

Thanks for the response. My bowel movements have been regular and have had no problems with that...it seems that I am eating a lot of fiber daily, which helps. I was thinking of stopping the b-complex for a while and adding magnesium to help with fatigue. I guess I can't address both anemia and acne without one treatment interfering with the other at this point The only temporary solution I have for getting the b vitamins and folic acid is to eat 1 luna bar as a snack 4-5 times a week.

Current regimen: garlic supplements [as needed], Enzymedica gluten blocker [as needed], nicadan [not sure if it works yet]. I try to simplify as much as I can. Don't take more supplements than you need....try one at a time and be patient.

The supplements that really helped me when my acne was at its worst: inositol, DIM [not as frequently now!] digestive enzymes [don't need them every day anymore, only on cheat days], herpanacine & vitamin C with rose hips/ low acid [not every day], regular sun exposure for vitamin D3, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme supplements. NOTE: I do not recommend DIM for long term use, and I do not recommend hormonal creams without doctor supervision.